Lansing wins first playoff game since 2014

For the past nine years, the Lansing softball program has been a perennial “one-and-done” team in the Section IV tournament. This time around, the taste of postseason success has finally been secured.

On May 18, Lansing defeated Unadilla Valley 5-2 in the opening round of the Section IV Class B tournament, making it the first time since 2014 that the Bobcats won in the postseason. This drought also includes the two IAC Championships that they’ve been a part of, losing in the semifinals in 2021 and the Large School final in 2022. After the win, junior catcher Izzy Gustafson shared how much it meant to both her and the team for breaking a near decade-long dry spell.

“I know we’ve had a really good team the past couple of years, but we haven’t gotten to squeeze in that sectional win,” Gustafson said. “It means a lot. It’s a really good first win.”

Lansing’s victory did not come easy. The Bobcats trailed 2-0 for half of the game after allowing two runs in the top of the second inning, both with two outs. But that didn’t deter them one bit, as they pounced back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning. Gustafson started proceedings with a leadoff single and made her way to third base before Zoie Burke drove her in to cut the deficit in half. Lindsey Fish then reached base and eventually scored on a wild pitch to tie the game up at 2-2.

The sixth inning is where the magic happened for the Bobcats. After getting on the basepaths due to an error, Gustafson also scored on a wild pitch to give Lansing its first lead of the game. Insurance runs were then added by Fish with an RBI groundout and Jaeda Broaster with an RBI single.

One consistent factor in the game was the energy from the Bobcats’ dugout. From the first inning on, the noise was plentiful and encouraging. Gustafson credited the team’s liveliness for helping spark a comeback victory.

“We’re so loud in the dugout,” Gustafson said. “Even when we’re down, we’re always keeping it positive and being very motivative to all of our teammates.”

Gustafson played a major role in the victory, getting on base all three times up and scoring both runs to lead off the fourth and sixth innings. While her performance at the plate was productive, her outing behind it was equally as crucial, as the junior only allowed one wild pitch from Burke. Considering that wild pitches were one of the key reasons why Unadilla Valley lost the game, Burke and Gustafson were in the zone with each other all game. The senior pitcher went the distance with just two runs allowed, striking out five batters and walking none. Gustafson credited Burke for another reliable outing in the circle.

“I have to thank Zoie,” Gustafson said. “She was pitching great today, so I didn’t have to work super hard. It’s always good to have a good pitcher with you.”

Lansing’s offense has been a big part of their success this season. The Bobcats are averaging about 10 runs per game, and while they scored far less than that against Unadilla Valley, they had to go up against one of the best pitchers in the section in Haleigh Fisher. Gustafson attributed their timely hitting to all the work they put in throughout the campaign.

“Hard work in practice pays off,” Gustafson said. “We do so much hitting. We’re always out there putting our swings in, getting ready for the game all the time.”

What made this win even more special was that the Bobcats were able to do so on home field as the seventh-seed against the tenth-seed Storm.

“It was great,” Gustafson said. “We didn’t think that we would get a home game, but we were so happy when we did so we could have the support of all of our fans.”

For Lansing sports in general, the move up to Class B this season has made life difficult for almost every team involved in sectional play. Both soccer teams lost their opening round matchups in the Section IV tournament, and boys basketball did the same against Waverly in the Class B quarterfinals. Softball has been able to crack the code, but the road only gets tougher from here with a trip to the second-seed Windsor on May 23. The Bobcats look to make it to the semifinals for the first time since 2005, and Gustafson believes they’re on the right track to make more history.

“Keep doing what we’re doing,” Gustafson said. “It seems to be working, so [we have to] keep working hard in practice and hopefully it will pay off.”